ACROSS THE COUNTRY

BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT
BC : LOWER MAINLAND REPORT
by Janet Patterson

Networking News

CCLOW-BC continues to be active in the WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COALITION (WETC), a broadly based coalition of women's groups and community, professional and educational organizations that monitors the impact of provincial and federal policies, procedures and programs on women's training and employment opportunities.

The Coalition consultants with various levels and departments of government; lobbies to improve women's options; and gathers and disseminates data and information on women's training and employment issues.

In July, WETC representatives met with the Director and program officers of Job Entry/Re-entry, Canadian Jobs Strategy (CJS), Employment and Immigration Canada at their request. Many issues were discussed, including: the failure of CJS programs to meet the up-grading needs of many groups of women (Native, immigrant and social assistance recipients); the need for a central registry of entry/re-entry projects so that women can access information; the overemphasis on clerical training in re-entry programs; and the difficulties that nonprofit groups face in competing for proposal acceptance. Discussion was open and positive and Employment and Immigration Canada staff have undertaken follow-up actions and recommendations.

Local Advisory Councils

Linda Coyle, Maureen Shaw, Shirley Stonier and Susan Witter are serving on Local Advisory Councils (CJS) in the lower mainland area.

Women's Access Consultant

In August, Brenda Pengally fill the position of Women's Access Consultant at the "new" British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) , following its merger with the Pacific Vocational Institute (PVI). Brenda had served as the Women's Advocate at PVI since January 1985. CCLOW members Gail Kinsman McCool and Sheila McFadzean had held this position in 1982/83 and 1983/84 respectively. The Women's Advocate position was created in 1982 when up to 12 women's access programs or positions were introduced into post-secondary colleges and institutes under a women's access policy initiative of the Ministry of Education. The only other position that has survived the "restraint" period in B.C. is that of Women's Centre Coordinator at Douglas College, held by CCLOW member Marian Exmann.

Brenda is pleased that the position of Women's Access Consultant has gained a degree of stability through the merger. The "new" BCIT has allocated permanent funding for the position. For the past 18 months it had relied on grants from the B.C. Ministry of Labour, Women's Office, for specific outreach projects.

The Women's Access Consultant helps women students and prospective students to participate in nontraditional trades, technical and technology training; identifies services and resources available at BCIT and in the community for women training and working in non-traditional occupations; organizes drop-in sessions and networking events; and works with government agencies and community groups to heighten community awareness of opportunities for women to enter non-traditional training and employment, and to create new opportunities.

Brenda is interested in hearing from other, individuals, groups and institutions working to promote and assist women in non-traditional occupations. She may be contacted at Counselling Unit, Students Services Department, BCIT, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3H2 Telephone: (604)432-8437.